4G, perhaps this term regarding advanced wireless technologies, was first used by Verizon with the mention of the 4G LTE service. Now, it seems that every carrier under the sun claims to have “blazing” 4G speeds and the “largest” 4G network.
Apple has been in headlines recently due to the company advertising that the new iPad has 4G data. The same is true for the iPhone in which a software update brought forth the appearance of 4G on the display screen; when in fact the iPhone is incapable of achieving 4G speeds when it has no 4G radios.
Is the Cupertino behemoth the only company falsifying data speeds? Surely not. The line between 3G, 4G, Wi-Max, and HSPA+ have been blurred for the past year. Cell phone makers carriers alike need to make the distinction between the different speed thresholds because sooner or later customers will realize that their device’s promised speeds will never be met.
Bottom line: The entire marketplace is a lie. Carriers and hardware manufacturers must differentiate data speeds. Honestly, consumers are getting sick of term after term. In the end, the only thing they want is performance.
These past few months have riddled the technological world with court case after court case. The strange thing is that Google seems to be in the middle of almost every lawsuit. Why? Here is the breakdown — Android is an open-source operating system built for smartphones. Not only has the Android platform appealed to many users it has appealed to so many that they are shaking up things in the smartphone market and it is making manufacturers and developers upset. So, what do you do when another company innovates faster and more than you?
Innovate and try to become better? No, you take them to court and try to stop their products from being sold.
Oracle claims that Google is infringing on copyright after copyright. Since Android itself is open-source they have used similar lines of code that are allegedly Java-related. The biggest retort from Google is that they did not realize that you could copyright a programming language.
This is equal to the “creator” of the modern English language to sue a man for writing a book that contains certain words and phrases.
Bottom line: It appears that everyone wants a piece of the pie. Just because an entity is open does not mean that it is always stealing from ones that are not. Oracle has proven that Google has infringed in certain areas leading to a partial verdict. Read more [HERE]
Microsoft is really simplifying things this go-around and they are certainly making me proud. Not only is this a very anticipated release of Windows; it is rightfully so. Windows 8 will come in the following versions:
Windows 8
Windows 8 Pro
Windows RT – for tablet devices; will come pre-installed and will not be available for direct purchase
All of the versions will have the metro interface (Windows RT will be limited to just metro) and will be able to run all metro apps. However, Windows 8 and 8 Pro will be limited to the desktop users that require use of the traditional desktop and metro to complete one powerful experience.
Not only does Windows 8 offer a lot of promise for the consumer; it almost offers more for enterprise. This is a REAL tablet that corporations have been waiting for — not some toy like Apple’s iPad. This will put a solution in corporate America’s hand that will allow it to run legitimate software on a mobile device, not just some fancy app with a work-around.
Bottom line: Microsoft will not fail with this release; expect great things from Redmond this year.
When you think of low-priced Android powered tablets one thought comes to mind as an immediate success: Amazon Kindle Fire. Now, Samsung is on board and they have created a 7 inch version of the Galaxy Tab that will go on sale for $249. However, with this low price point will users pay in the end for a device that will become quickly outdated? See specs below:
7″ capacitive touchscreen
Dual-core 1 GHz processor
Android 4.0
8 GB on-board storage
Hopefully this device will cause a stir in the low-end tablet market, the Kindle Fire is an excellent alternative to the iPad but Amazon has almost over-processed their custom version of Android. Samsung has kept the important features of Android 4.0 present by not over-skinning and this may be a key selling point.
Bottom line: Android tablets are getting better and with specs at this price point; who can resist? Although the processor is just 1 GHz except Ice-Cream Sandwich to run smoothly.
Yes, it is official. Facebook will be acquiring Instagram for $1 billion and this is causing quite the alarm for technologists. Facebook has been under fire for seemingly forever regarding it’s privacy issues and how they actually use the data that we give them. Now, this raises the question: “Will Facebook buying Instagram have a negative effect on the users of the Instagram service? Will their privacy be in question? How will Facebook use the data and pictures that are posted via this service?
Facebook has responded by saying that they will leave Instagram as it is and since this acquisition has been announced it has remained true to its promise. On the other hand, due to the privacy issues that Facebook has, that Instagram may inherit, many users have started to deactivate their Instagram accounts. However, one can only imagine how long it will be before Instagram takes over as the default method for sharing pictures via Facebook.
Bottom line: Facebook has not defiled Instagram yet. So let’s wait around see what actually happens.
Tech for the masses, meant to empower, educate and inform by Dexter Johnson.
Is the Cupertino behemoth the only company falsifying data speeds? Surely not. The line between 3G, 4G, Wi-Max, and HSPA+ have been blurred for the past year. Cell phone makers carriers alike need to make the distinction between the different speed thresholds because sooner or later customers will realize that their device’s promised speeds will never be met.
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